The Saint & His Suffering

THE SAINT & HIS SUFFERING

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” - Romans 8:18

The Bible never sugar-coats the subject of suffering. Although the subject is not our favorite topic to dwell on, it is mentioned numerous times in the Scriptures. We don't like to dwell on this subject. Books, seminars and sermons tend to be about more popular topics. Yet there is no subject that hits home like this one.

The longer we live on earth, the more we encounter suffering. We witness suffering among our fellow humans. Even more heartbreaking is the sight of close family members enduring times of intense pain. Our own suffering forces us to deal with this subject personally. It is easy for TV evangelists to teach that pain, suffering and disease can be eradicated with a simple prayer or a financial gift to their ministry. Yet in private, they struggle with the very same challenges as the rest of us.

Let it be known that God is able to heal. Divine healing still occurs. But this healing is not something that we can manipulate God into performing for us. He is sovereign. He does things after the counsel of His own will.

Suffering and death have come upon mankind because of Adam's fall in the Garden of Eden. As his descendants, we have inherited many problems, including pain. Death is an undeniable part of our future. Unless Jesus returns first, each one of us will encounter physical death.

How should a Christian respond to this? Sadly, most of us wish to live in fantasy, hoping that it will all go away. Living in denial does not alter the truth. Reality has a way of reminding us of our mortality.

PRESENT PAIN

As believers we need to knowledge that suffering is part of the human condition. Pain and death will come to each of us. Although we'd rather think of happier subjects, we need to come to terms with this reality. Our theology needs to come from the Bible and not from pop psychology or wishful thinking. It is a fantasy to believe that suffering and death are not part of the human situation.

In Romans 8, Paul wrote, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Paul did not sidestep the fact that suffering is part of life. Paul refers to our pain as “... the sufferings of this present time...” If we omit suffering from our theology, we are denying a Biblical truth. The fact is that Adam's sin continues to afflict all of us. You can't live on this earth and not be impacted by Adam's fall.

When I visit a hospital, nursing home or hospice house, I am reminded that many suffer greatly. I have great empathy for each patient. I know that it is only by the grace of God that I am not committed to such a healthcare facility right now. We don't know what the future holds. One day, I may be a patient in the very treatment center that I visit.

I admit that there are certain things I'd prefer to avoid. Yet I have no control over these things. They are in the hands of God. Yet I know that suffering is part of life.

PERMANENT GLORY

Here is the good news about suffering. For the Christian, suffering is only temporary. It may be excruciating and lead to our earthly death, but we will leave all our pain behind when we die. Our text tells us, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Our present sufferings cannot really be compare to the glory that is just ahead for us.

There is glory just ahead for the believer. One day, we'll receive a new body. We will live in a better place. We'll be with Jesus forever. Glory is just ahead.

The pain and problems of this life will pale in comparison to the bliss of heaven. The toils of this life are only to be endured for a few years here on earth. The joy of heaven is ours to experience forever.

Death will be our transition from mortality to immortality. We'll graduate from pain to pleasure. The challenges of this life will be behind us. The celebration will just begin.

Let me ask you. Are you ready to leave this world? These days, the false doctrine of universalism is growing in popularity. Universalism teaches that everyone is going to heaven. The Bible explicitly states otherwise. The only way for a sinner to reach heaven is through the shed blood of Christ. Jesus is more than just a good way to heaven. He is more than the best way to heaven. He is the ONLY way to heaven. Turn from sin and trust the Savior today.

You may be one heartbeat away from eternity.